Last February, Qualcomm Technologies became a premium partner of the Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 team and the Ferrari eSports team. This big leap in the sport was understandable as it was contiguous with the fact that Qualcomm was targeting the automotive sector on a grand scale, and the collaboration meant that Ferrari would use the Snapdragon Digital Chassis in its cars. Previously, Qualcomm had partnered with Mercedes.
And now Qualcomm has jumped into a completely different sporting arena. Football, to be more precise. The company announced that it is now the official global partner of English football club Manchester United. Qualcomm’s multi-year strategic collaboration with Manchester United will primarily highlight the Snapdragon brand.
Even though Manchester United’s form may have been ups and downs last season, it remains among the most popular football clubs in the world. Its legion of mostly young fans would be Qualcomm’s target, as Snapdragon platforms power many premium smartphones, PCs, gaming devices, connected cars and smart wearables, which are also marketed primarily with youth in mind. And who knows, this partnership could help Qualcomm get serious about its Snapdragon smartphone bet.
Mobile connectivity to improve at Old Trafford
(Image credit: Shutterstock.com / Nook Thitipat)
In a statement, Qualcomm said that “the strategic collaboration will create unique events and experiences for Manchester United fans at Old Trafford and around the world, driven by the premium performance that Snapdragon platforms deliver.”
In addition, Qualcomm Technologies will also advise Manchester United on planned improvements to mobile connectivity at Old Trafford — their home. This can improve the fan experience on match days.
Victoria Timpson, Manchester United’s CEO of Alliances and Partnerships, said: “Snapdragon platforms will enable innovative experiences for fans around the world, deepening their engagement with the football club they love.”
Don McGuire, Senior Vice President and CMO of Qualcomm Incorporated, said, “We are proud to bring the power of Snapdragon together with one of the most iconic names in global sport. We look forward to introducing Snapdragon to Manchester United fans everywhere and joining the new era of technological innovation at Old Trafford.”
The new Premier League season kicks off this weekend, with Manchester United’s first home game against Brighton on 7 August.
There is a paradox in the Indian film industry right now.
The biggest market is the Hindi-speaking states. The most popular content is from the South Indian film industries. South Indian films are outperforming Bollywood films at the box office nationally. On OTT, thanks to subtitles and dubbed versions, South Indian content is being consumed even more easily. The national success of films like Vikram, RRRKGF-2 and series like Suzhal – The Vortex are proof of that. It is instructive to know that the Hindi version of RRR is the best performing Indian movie on Netflix.
In this case, it’s no surprise that Tata Play (formerly Tata Sky) has launched an all-new value-added service, Tata Play South Talkies, dedicated to showing Hindi dubs of popular movies in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada. The service will bring to Hindi-speaking viewers blockbusters from the south that have not been presented in Hindi before.
Free for the first 5 days and then it costs Rs 2 per day
In a statement, the company said that Tata Play South Talkies will feature 2 world premieres on television each month. The platform has secured exclusive titles for this ad-free service, which will be available on the Tata Play mobile app as Catch-up and VOD (Video-On-Demand). “South Talkies will be home to specially curated films that will showcase slice-of-life, relatable, sometimes aspirational, sometimes larger-than-life, feel-good stories, where six to seven films will be shown back-to-back, every day.” , said the company. movies like Trance, Manam, Googly, Masters and Yaradi Nee Mohini and several others will be part of the extensive library. The service will be available for free for the first five days, followed by a fee of Rs 2 per day.
Tata Play Commercial and Content Director Pallavi Puri said: “Today, with Pan-Indian films becoming widespread, we realize that there is a treasure trove of South Indian films waiting to be brought to a wider audience base. The evolving audience’s taste and sensibility gave us another avenue to entertain them through Tata Play South Talkies.”
For South Talkies, Tata Play has partnered with JOP Network, a content creation company involved in channel curation, distribution and syndication.
The South Talkies service can be tuned to (channel) 350. South Talkies is part of Tata Play’s range of value-added entertainment services, which also offers a variety of film-based services such as Tata Play Marathi Cinema, Tata Play Kannada Cinema , Tata Play Bollywood Premiere, Tata Play Telugu Cinema, Tata Play Tamil Cinema and more.
Apple may be redesigning its entry-level iPad this year after a long time. Many of the iPad models have been completely redesigned, except for the original iPad series.
The design of the next tablet PC was seen in CAD files, according to a report (opens in new tab) by MySmartPrice. From what we can see in the renders, Apple will keep the chassis similar to current iPad models. We can see the curved edges with the square body and the addition of speakers on top as well. This is a departure from the 9th generation iPad that only comes with two speakers at the bottom.
Renders also show that the 10th-gen iPad will keep TouchID on the front of the screen. The images also show that the back of the iPad may feature a larger camera island on the back. Although the CAD files were obtained from box makers, it is unclear whether the cutout at the bottom is for a Type-C or Lightning port.
Doesn’t look like any iPad
At first glance, the device from the supposed CAD files, Apple’s 10th generation iPad may have a boring design update. And I might even consider sticking with the same old design. The report claims that the updated iPad can keep the same screen dimensions and TouchID on the front. This might make the iPad a little bulkier than the current generation. And the bezels look unnecessarily larger for a tablet PC in 2022.
(Image credit: MySmartPrice)
Apple also redesigned the iPad Mini to incorporate TouchID into the power button. The 10th generation iPad can also implement the biometric security feature. After all, the company wants to create uniformity in the design elements of its products.
Since the fingerprint scanner has been integrated into the power button at the top, Apple can now provide a slightly larger screen. Although CAD files do not show an evenly curved frame, this can be achieved by Apple. And it would definitely be the way Apple could go when it comes to redesigning the basic iPad.
In addition to the redesign, we can expect the next iPad to sport the A14 Bionic chipset and continue to support Center Stage. Apple is moving from Lightning to Type-C port on many of its devices, including the iPhone. So it’s highly possible that the 10th-gen iPad will get it too.
Samsung’s second big launch of 2022 is just around the corner, with the company holding an event on August 10th where we expect to see the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 line-up – and those watches are on the way. becoming true highlights of the show.
At this point, there’s not much we don’t know about wearables, assuming the recent leaks we’ve seen are accurate, and a massive new leak has just surfaced in WinFuture (opens in new tab)which consists of an almost complete spec list along with supposedly official marketing photos.
The biggest news in this leaked information is the battery capacities, with the 40mm Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 apparently having a 284mAh battery, the 44mAh model having a 410mAh battery, and the 45mm Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. apparently getting a massive 590mAh battery.
A leaked image of a 40mm model on the left and a 44mm model on the right (Image credit: WinFuture)
These capacities would be greater than the battery capacities of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 range and also greater than previous leaks have suggested. They would apparently allow 50 hours of life on the standard models and up to 80 hours in the case of the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, which would be even better than the three days of life we previously heard it could manage.
Other leaked specs include mention of a 1.19-inch 396 x 396 AMOLED display on the 40mm model and a larger 1.36-inch 450 x 450 AMOLED display on the other two, with sapphire glass used for the display on all three. versions.
They also apparently charge wirelessly at 10W and all use the Exynos W920 chipset we saw earlier in the Galaxy Watch 4. It’s said to be paired with up to 16GB of storage, plus GPS, NFC and – in the case of cellular models – a it is yes.
We also have dimensions, with the standard Galaxy Watch 5 models apparently being 9.8mm thick and coming in at 28.7g for the 40mm model and 33.5g for the 44mm model. Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is 10.5mm thick and 46.5g. All that extra weight is probably because of the bigger battery.
A leaked image of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro (Image credit: WinFuture)
We’ve included some leaked images of the wearables above – more of them can be seen on the WinFuture website, but they don’t show much of what we haven’t seen before. The main advantage is that none of the models seem to have a rotating bezel, which is a shame. In fact, the Watch 5 Pro looks a lot like the standard versions, but apparently has a titanium body.
There’s also a new sensor visible on the back of these wearables, which the site speculates could be for measuring body temperature.
Finally, we have possible pricing, with the 40mm Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 apparently costing €299, the 44mm model costing €329 and the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro costing €469. cell apparently costing €40-€50 more.
For reference, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 started at €269 for a 40mm model, rising to €299 for a 44mm and between €369 and €399 for the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, depending on the size.
So the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 line will apparently be more expensive. Pricing conversions are never exact, but if those Euro prices are accurate you can expect to pay a little more than the $249.99 / £249 / AU$399 the Watch 4 started at for a Watch 5 and more than the $349 / £349 / AU$549 that the Watch 4 Classic started at the Watch 5 Pro.
Analysis: Even at these prices, the Galaxy Watch 5 line could beat the Apple Watch 8
The Galaxy Watch lineup is typically the Apple Watch’s main rival, and this year it could offer even tougher competition than usual.
While we still don’t know anything for sure about the Watch 5 or Apple Watch 8, leaks suggest that Apple’s next wearable will be at least as expensive, even taking into account the rumors of price increases for Samsung’s watches mentioned above.
With Samsung’s wearables possibly offering dramatically better battery life, they could have the Apple Watch 8 beaten in that department; and aside from a possible new Apple Watch 8 Rugged Edition, it doesn’t look like Apple’s upcoming wearables will offer many updates. They might have a body temperature sensor, but so do Samsung watches.
The choice as always will mostly come down to your preferred operating system – and if you have an Android phone then the Apple Watch 8 isn’t an option. But just looking at the specs and pricing, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 lineup is likely to match or surpass Apple’s best watches.
In what is a major milestone in building a supply base outside of China for Apple devices, its imminent iPhone 14 will be shipped simultaneously from factories in China and India at launch. Up until now, iPhones, at the time of their launch, were mostly deployed at the factory of contract manufacturers in China.
This is the first time Apple has chosen to have iPhones come almost simultaneously from factories in China and India.
Well-known Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, in a tweet said (opens in new tab): “My latest research indicates that Foxconn’s iPhone production site in India will ship the new 6.1” iPhone 14 almost simultaneously with China for the first time in 2H22 (India is a quarter or more behind in the past).
In another tweet, Kuo said, “In the short term, India’s iPhone capabilities/shipments still have a considerable gap with China, but it’s a major milestone for Apple in building a non-Chinese iPhone production site.”
India and Apple: Manufacturing base and main market
(Image credit: Foxconn)
It’s clear, and Kuo also hinted at this, Apple is trying to reduce its dependence on China. The reasons for this are many, not least the growing tension between Washington and Beijing. In fact, Apple has been trying to build India as a second production base. But the two years of Covid, which wreaked considerable havoc in India, delayed Apple’s plans.
The presence of Taiwanese contract automaker Foxconn in China and India may have made things easier for Apple, as the transfer and exchange of technology and personnel could be carried out without a hitch. Foxconn in India has also been expanding its production capacity. It recently received government authorization to increase the workforce, which would help the company increase its manufacturing numbers. The government approved Apple’s request for de-notification of 40 acres inside Foxconn’s factory near Chennai, operating in the special economic zone (SEZ).
Foxconn has invested an additional $350 million in the unit to help build an exclusive production line for the Apple iPhone 13. In addition to the iPhone 13, the Sriperumbudur plant launches the iPhone XR, iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 models. Foxconn also has a drive in nearby Andhra Pradesh.
Foxconn, the world’s largest outsourced electronics maker, is Apple’s top maker of iPhones and has factories in many parts of the world besides India. Apple accounts for about 40% of the Taiwanese company’s total sales.
For Apple itself, India is a happy hunting ground as it sold over 1.2 million iPhones in India in the second quarter of this year, recording a massive 94% growth (year on year). Nearly 1 million of the total iPhones shipped were ‘Make in India’ devices.
Meanwhile, media reports claim that the iPhone 14 lineup includes the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Max, and the 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Pro Max. The iPhone 14 is also expected to be revealed in the second week of September.
The newly created entertainment giant Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) has outlined its bold plans to merge HBO Max and Discovery Plus into a single streaming service.
speaking in the last company earnings call (opens in new tab)WBD executive JB Perrette has announced ambitions to launch the as-yet-unnamed platform by 2023 in the US.
The service in question will bring together the extensive portfolios of WarnerMedia and Discovery Inc. under the same streaming roof to provide “something for everyone in the house,” Perrette explained. WBD’s network offering currently includes HBO, CNN, DC Comics, Discovery Channel, Food Network, HGTV, Magnolia Network, OWN, TBS and TNT.
“At the end of the day, putting all the content together was the only way we saw to make this a viable business,” Perrette told analysts.
The launch of the new streamer will begin in the US next summer (i.e. between June and September 2023), before expanding to Latin America later in the year and to European HBO Max-compatible markets in early 2024.
No mention of the platform’s title was made during the WBD earnings call, and its pricing structure also remains under wraps. Perrette, however, emphasized that the company is “exploring how to reach customers in the free, ad-supported space” — suggesting that a free subscription tier could be rolled out to stand alongside the premium and discounted tiers already available on HBO Max.
Future seasons of Succession could reach the new streamer (Image credit: HBO)
Explaining how the new streamer will be greater than the sum of its parts, Perrette said: “HBO Max has a competitive feature set but has had performance and customer issues. Discovery Plus has the best performance and consumer ratings, but more limited features. Our combined service will focus on delivering the best of both.”
As of March 2022, HBO and HBO Max boasted a combined subscriber base of around 77 million. Add Discovery Plus subscriber pool to that number, and the two platforms currently serve somewhere in the region of 92 million customers.
After the launch of this new super streamer, WBD expects to reach 130 million global subscribers by 2025. For comparison, Netflix has, at the time of this writing, just under 221 million subscribers, while Disney Plus serves around 140. millions.
For more analysis surrounding Warner Bros. Discovery, find out why your latest MCU-style plan for the DCEU won’t work.
Microsoft has unveiled a new Xbox Game Pass tier that will allow families and groups to sign up at a deep discount.
An Xbox Game Pass family plan has been rumored for several months now, with Microsoft finally confirming the news in a test release. Xbox Insiders in Colombia and Ireland will be the first to try it. It allows up to five people to share Xbox Game Pass Ultimate benefits as long as they live in the same country.
All members of the shared plan will have “their own exclusive access to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate games, content and benefits”, according to Microsoft (opens in new tab). Each subscriber can use the service simultaneously, allowing everyone to play a game of Back 4 Blood or Halo Infinite together, as well as play entirely different games at the same time.
Microsoft has not revealed when the new plan will officially launch or receive a global rollout.
Friends make for economic games
(Image credit: Microsoft)
Subscribing to the family plan with a group of friends will earn you big monthly savings. Microsoft has yet to reveal the exact pricing structure, but existing Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers will be able to convert their membership to the new tier. A one-month subscription to Ultimate translates to an 18-day family plan subscription. Given that Ultimate is usually $14.99 / £10.99 / AU$15.95, a little algebra tells us that a one-month family subscription is likely to cost around $24.99 / £18 / AU $26.50.
Even if you’re sharing the plan with just one other person, you’ll be saving yourself a few dollars or pounds a month. With four other people to split the bill, the individual monthly cost drops dramatically. These prices are not final, but should indicate what we can expect from the new service. Additionally, members will still be able to take advantage of the Xbox Live Gold upgrade trick to get an even bigger discount.
Microsoft said that users who subscribe to Game Pass in this way will still be able to convert to the family plan. Keep in mind, however, that the conversion is final. For now, you will have to wait for your family plan subscription to expire if you want to return to a previous level.
If you live in Ireland or Colombia and would like to participate in the preview, please go to the Microsoft Store (opens in new tab) and purchase the ‘Xbox Game Pass – Insider Preview’ subscription plan. Once you’ve signed up, you’ll be able to invite others to join the plan on your Microsoft account page.
During its Q2 2022 earnings report presentation, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) – the newly merged entertainment corporation – has revealed its plans to build a Marvel Cinematic Universe-style franchise for its own superhero film series. That being the case, the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), which is later expected to undergo a significant reboot.
Wait, Warner Bros. Haven’t you already tried that? Yes, with a lineup of films led by Zack Snyder before the studio shelved those plans in favor of a disconnected project approach and multiverse style. That plan was relatively successful, but now that Warner Bros. and Discovery have joined forces, it’s a model that’s being sidelined for an MCU-like franchise.
Black Adam star Dwayne Johnson’s claim that the “hierarchy of power in the DCEU is about to change” suddenly takes on greater meaning – but that can’t be what the Hollywood star had in mind when he originally conceived this one. phrase.
Like this? Because Warner Bros. Discovery won’t work – and that’s because of the numerous projects in development and productions ready for release on its current roster.
I don’t want them to follow the MCU. I want them to make their own formula. Aff More creative projects like The Batman and The Suicide Squad that don’t necessarily need to be tied together by an interconnected universe pic.twitter.com/ttQ3R20ZAYAugust 4, 2022
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There are currently four DCEU movies slated to hit theaters between October 2022 and June 2023 – Black Adam, Shazam!: Fury of the Gods, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, and The Flash. These movies have locked release dates, but as the CEO of Warner Bros. Discover, David Zaslav, explained during the latest company earnings report (opens in new tab): “We’re not going to release any movie before it’s ready.”
Does this mean the foursome could see their release dates changed again? And, in the case of Flash, could it be fully archived? There has been a lot of negative press surrounding the film recently, with numerous allegations made against lead star Ezra Miller. Warner Bros. Discovery has shown it’s not afraid to ditch projects that are almost ready for release – the shocking cancellation of its Batgirl movie earlier this week is testament to that. Those involved in The Flash, then, may be worried about meeting a similar fate.
This brings us to a broader view around legacy DCEU content – i.e. where, or even What ifthey fit the new Warner Bros. movie and TV show plan. Discovery.
Characters like Shazam, The Flash and Aquaman already exist in the DCEU, so what does that mean for them in the new WBD plan? Will Zachary Levi, Ezra Miller and Jason Momoa – the main stars of these franchises – be kept, or will WBD reshape them as it reboots its cinematic superhero universe?
What about Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman or Henry Cavill’s Superman? The first is set to have a third solo release, while Cavill has consistently stated his desire to reprise his role as Man of Steel despite the fact that he hasn’t appeared in a DC movie since 2017’s Justice League. Zack Snyder’s cut of Justice League, which arrived on HBO Max in March 2021.
Will WBD keep these actors in their current roles and use their star power to help restart their shared cinematic universe? Or, like Levi, Momoa and Miller, do you wipe the slate clean and cast new actors in these roles?
How would a third Wonder Woman movie fit into the rebooted DC cinematic universe? (Image credit: Warner Bros.)
If Warner Bros. Discovery going the first way risks confusing viewers when, say, a new Wonder Woman movie comes out. Audiences might think a third film starring Gal Gadot takes place in the DCEU when, in fact, it might reside in the rebooted DC Cinematic Universe from the WBD. This has happened before with a DC movie, with the Suicide Squad cast and crew struggling to clarify whether the 2021 movie was a reboot or sequel to the Suicide Squad of the same name released in 2016.
This is an issue that extends to other DCEU properties. Matt Reeves’ Batman is completely disconnected from other DCEU productions; the latest Batman movie series to exist in its own pocket universe. A sequel has been approved by Warner Bros. prior to its merger with Discovery, while two spin-off projects – one starring Colin Farrell’s Penguin and another described as an Arkham Asylum horror series – are currently in the works.
How does WBD work Batman’s mini-universe into its revamped and interconnected film series? Does it merge with the new DC cinematic universe, or will the Batman-Verse continue to exist in a separate timeline? If it’s the latter, WBD won’t be able to bring the Dark Knight into its new cinematic universe – like the Wonder Woman conundrum, having two Batman characters in different movie franchises would confuse audiences.
Pick the former option, however, and Reeves’ comprehensive plan for The Batman-Verse would need to undergo some significant tweaks to squeeze him into WBD’s new lineup of DC movies and TV series. That might not sit well with Reeves and company, however, especially when Todd Phillips and Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker-centric movie series is being allowed to exist in its own universe.
A sequel to the duo’s award-winning 2018 film is coming in October 2024, so clearly WBD is happy that some DC properties are alongside their rebooted DC cinematic universe. But again, won’t that muddy the waters? If WBD wants people to buy into its shiny new superhero cinematic universe, wouldn’t it be better if all of your productions were interconnected?
Henry Cavill will be back as Superman in Warner Bros. Discovery? (Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)
What about current DCEU shows that exist on HBO Max, other streamers or broadcast TV channels? Well, WBD doesn’t have to worry about The CW’s Arrowverse – that franchise is set to end next year when The Flash’s final season airs.
But there are other projects in the works. A second season of Peacemaker starring John Cena is on the way, and showrunner James Gunn claims he’s safe from the chopping block (opens in new tab). Green Lantern and Justice League Dark were also getting TV adaptations prior to the Warner Bros. Discovery merger, while there are plenty of animated series – including Harley Quinn – that may or may not continue past the current seasons.
Warner Bros. Discovery might think it has a brilliant plan to rework the DCEU – even if it’s one that appears to replicate the success of Marvel Studios’ cinematic giant. However, the WBD has some big questions it needs to answer before it even thinks about moving forward with its 10-year plan for an MCU-style franchise. Stop responding to any of them effectively, and your last cinematic reboot will stop before you even leave the garage.
For more DCEU-based content, check out our ranking of all DC superhero movies to date.
Over the past few months, we’ve covered behind-the-scenes news from the TV industry that screen prices have been consistently falling, which has the potential to mean big drops in TV prices later in the year. That’s because the TVs currently being produced from components that have dropped in price will be on shelves by the end of the year – ready for big sales events, including Black Friday. This means that discounts can be even bigger than usual.
We’ve already seen signs of this – the price war between LG and Samsung is heating up even faster than usual.
And finally, there is a report that the LCD screen manufacturers are reducing production numbers (opens in new tab) in the face of order reductions like Samsung’s, and it still hasn’t cut them enough, which again confirms that there will likely be surplus screens.
There are other factors that affect final TV prices besides the cost of the screens – the chips needed, the shipping costs and so on – but it’s a big issue, and having these three stories so close together is a sign that there’s going to be a lot of downward pressure on prices.
Well, that’s for LCD TVs, at least. Things are different for the best OLED TVs because there is no competition over who is making panels. Basically, all OLED TV screens come from one company – LG Display – which means they have more control over production and pricing.
Analysis: Why Low Screen Demand Means Cheaper TVs
The reason we’re so sure the three news items above mean cheaper TVs is good old-fashioned supply and demand. When lots of people want something you sell, you can charge more for the limited number you have. When people aren’t buying what you sell, you need to lower the price to try to encourage people to buy.
During the pandemic, all was buying TVs. The best TVs were coming off the shelves as people suddenly needed a great home theater experience to avoid the tedium of lockdown.
(Image credit: Hisense)
But now? Well, everyone has already bought a nice new TV. They don’t need another one yet, so TV sales are a little low these days. TV companies would prefer this not to be the case, so we’ve seen big discounts on last year’s TVs that are still on shelves and we’re seeing earlier-than-usual discounts on 2022 TVs – so try to make the purchase a new TV faster. tempting.
If fewer people are buying TVs, that means companies don’t have to make as many, which is why Samsung has reduced its screen orders. If manufacturers made too many, then they have spare screens, with no inherent value. So, to get rid of these screens, they lower the wholesale price.
This, in turn, means that TV companies could still offer Larger discounts. The downward price pressure is coming from both sides – on the retail side to change existing TVs and on the manufacturing side because TVs are cheaper to manufacture.
With the cost-of-living crisis likely to get worse, this will at least offer some relief to people who will be in need of a new TV this year – you might be able to save some money or maybe get an even bigger TV or better model for the same money. That should make our guides to the best TVs under $1,000 and best TVs under £1,000 very interesting…
A few days after news broke that Netflix had canceled teen drama First Kill, the show’s showrunner has spoken out and has a few words for the streaming giant.
The teen drama, which premiered in the second week of June, was scrapped on Tuesday (August 2) when Netflix revealed there would be no second season of the show. This cancellation came on the back of some pretty scathing criticism, even though the Netflix series seemed to resonate with audiences.
Based on the short story of the same name by author VE Schwab, First Kill is a retelling of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. It follows Juliette Fairmont, a vampire from a long dynasty of vampires who are able to live in plain sight in Savannah, Georgia.
Approaching her 16th birthday, Juliette, who has spent her life until now living on blood pills, discovers that the pills are losing their effectiveness and she must face the prospect that it is time to make her first kill – something that she doesn’t want to.
Things get even more complicated with the arrival of a new girl in town, Calliope Burns, with whom Juliette quickly falls in love. The problem is, Calliope’s family history is just as complicated as Juliette’s. She is a monster hunter raised by a family of monster hunters. And, as with the hapless lovers in Shakespeare’s original, there’s plenty of drama.
The show’s cancellation came as a surprise as it racked up pretty decent view numbers, especially in the first few weeks. First Kill managed to score 30.3 million hours viewed in its first three days and 48.8 million hours viewed in its first full week, numbers that put it only behind Stranger Things and Peaky Blinders.
Now, talking to Daily Beast (opens in new tab)Felicia D. Henderson, showrunner of First Kill, criticized Netflix, particularly for the show’s lack of marketing.
She said, “The art for the early marketing was beautiful. I think I was hoping it was the beginning and that the other equally compelling and important elements of the show – monsters versus monster hunters, the battle between two powerful matriarchs, etc – would eventually get promoted. , and that did not happen.”
Henderson’s comments echo what a A source close to the show had previously told The Daily Beast (opens in new tab) that the show’s supernatural roots were downplayed. Instead, all marketing focused on the intense love story between the two main characters, a decision they believed prevented it from reaching a wider audience.
The showrunner, who has starred on shows like Fringe and Gossip Girl in the past, was quite optimistic about the cancellation, saying, “When I got the call to tell me they weren’t renewing the show because the completion rate wasn’t high enough, Of course, I was very disappointed. Which showrunner wouldn’t? I was told a few weeks ago that they expected the conclusion to be higher. I don’t think so.
Analysis: Is Henderson right?
Henderson isn’t the only showrunner to feel that Netflix executives have shifted targets in terms of the numbers needed to win another season.
Earlier this year, when Netflix shut down The Babysitters’ Club, showrunner Rebecca Shukert sat down with Vulture (opens in new tab) to explain what had happened. She said the streaming giant doesn’t just care about how many people watch its show, but how they do it.
At the time, Shukert said, “Completion rates are a big deal. At Netflix, it’s more about whether your show works on the platform than whether the platform is working for your show. way, and they want shows that people watch that way – not shows that people want to watch their way.”
From what Henderson said, First Kill feels more like a victim of that culture. Unless you blow up your early days on the platform, similar to a show like The Lincoln Lawyer, then you might struggle to earn a renewal.
That could change once it reaches Netflix’s ad-supported level, which is when the streaming giant’s executives will have to assess a different type of audience. But for now, it seems that for a show to really fly, it needs to be very, very binge-worthy.
